Villagers have been evacuated from their homes near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences, police have said. A major incident has been declared in the area.
Armed police are manning a cordon near the village of Whelford, close to the airbase used by the US Air Force. A large emergency services presence, including a Hazardous Area Response Team, has been observed.
Gloucestershire police stated that a number of properties are being evacuated in Whelford following the arrests under the Explosives Act. The army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is currently examining several vehicles. Local residents are being taken to a nearby leisure centre, and police believe the incident is contained.